Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most meaningful steps a person can take — and understanding exactly what the naturalization process involves is the best way to start that journey with confidence. This subchapter walks you through what to expect from the naturalization test, makes the case for why citizenship is worth pursuing, and sets out the rights and responsibilities that come with it.

What Is Naturalization?

The term Naturalization The legal process by which a non-citizen voluntarily becomes a citizen of the United States, granted by the federal government after meeting specific eligibility requirements. means the pathway to U.S. citizenship for most immigrants. It involves filing a Form N-400 The Application for Naturalization — the official USCIS form used to apply for U.S. citizenship. and attending an interview with a USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — the federal agency that oversees lawful immigration to the United States, including naturalization. officer, and passing two tests: one in English and one in civics.

Before reaching the test stage, applicants must generally meet eligibility requirements — including having been a Lawful Permanent Resident A non-citizen who has been granted the right to live and work permanently in the United States, often called a 'green card holder'. for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen), demonstrating good moral character, and being at least 18 years old. The naturalization test itself is the final major milestone before the Oath of Allegiance The formal pledge taken at a naturalization ceremony in which a new citizen swears loyalty to the United States and renounces allegiance to foreign powers. ceremony, where citizenship is officially conferred.

The English Test

The naturalization test has two components, and the first is English. To pass, you must demonstrate a basic ability to read, write, and speak English.

Speaking and Understanding

Your ability to speak and understand English is not assessed in a separate formal test — it is evaluated by the USCIS officer throughout your eligibility interview on Form N-400. The conversation you have during that interview is itself the speaking test, so clear and composed communication matters from the moment you walk in.

Reading

For the reading portion, the officer will ask you to read aloud from three sentences. You must read at least one of the three sentences correctly to pass.

Writing

For the writing portion, the officer will dictate three sentences for you to write down. You must write at least one of the three sentences correctly to pass.

The Naturalization Civics Test

The civics test assesses your knowledge of U.S. history, government, and the principles that underpin American democracy. Crucially, which version of the civics test you take depends on when you file your Form N-400.

The 2008 Naturalization Civics Test

The 2008 test applies to anyone who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025.

The test is oral — the USCIS officer will ask you questions directly, and you answer aloud. The officer selects up to 10 questions from the official list of 100 civics test questions. To pass, you must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly. You fail if you answer 5 questions incorrectly.

The officer will stop asking questions as soon as you have either answered 6 correctly (a pass) or 5 incorrectly (a fail) — so you may not always be asked all 10.

The 2025 Naturalization Civics Test

The 2025 test applies to anyone who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025.

Like the 2008 test, it is an oral test. However, it draws from a larger question bank: the officer will ask 20 questions from a list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly to pass. You fail if you answer 9 questions incorrectly.

Again, the officer stops as soon as you reach 12 correct answers (a pass) or 9 incorrect answers (a fail).

For full details on testing policy, refer to the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part E, English and Civics Testing and Exceptions, Chapter 2.

The 65/20 Special Consideration

Older long-term residents who meet specific criteria are entitled to an important accommodation. If you are 65 years of age or older and have lived in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for 20 or more years, USCIS will administer a modified civics test.

Under this provision — commonly called the 65/20 exception — the officer will ask 10 questions, drawn from a specially selected bank of just 20 questions (rather than the full 100 or 128). These 20 questions are marked with an asterisk (*) in the official study materials, so you can focus your preparation exclusively on them.

Additionally, applicants who qualify for the 65/20 exception may take the naturalization test in the language of their choice, rather than in English.

Should You Consider U.S. Citizenship?

The United States is a nation bound not by race or religion, but by shared values — freedom, liberty, and equality. Throughout its history, the country has welcomed newcomers from around the world, and immigrants have helped shape the nation that exists today. Their contributions continue to preserve America’s legacy as a land of freedom and opportunity.

More than 200 years after the country’s founding, naturalised citizens remain an essential part of American democracy. By becoming a citizen, you gain a genuine voice in how the nation is governed. That said, the decision to apply is significant — citizenship brings real benefits, and equally real responsibilities.

Ten Important Reasons to Become a U.S. Citizen

Vote. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. Most states also restrict voting rights in most elections to citizens.

Serve on a jury. Only citizens can serve on a federal jury, and most states restrict jury service to citizens as well. Jury duty is a core civic responsibility.

Travel with a U.S. passport. A U.S. passport entitles you to assistance from the U.S. government if you need help while abroad.

Bring family members to the U.S. Citizens generally receive priority when petitioning to bring family members to live permanently in the country.

Obtain citizenship for children under 18. In most cases, a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen is automatically a U.S. citizen.

Apply for federal jobs. Certain government agency positions are restricted to U.S. citizens.

Become an elected official. Only citizens can run for federal office — either the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives — and for most state and local offices.

Keep your residency. A citizen’s right to remain in the United States cannot be taken away, unlike the conditional status of permanent residency.

Access federal grants and scholarships. Many financial aid grants, college scholarships, and government-funded programmes are available only to citizens.

Obtain government benefits. Certain government benefits are reserved exclusively for U.S. citizens.

Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities

Citizenship is not only a status — it is a relationship between the individual and the country. That relationship includes both rights that citizens are entitled to and responsibilities that citizens are expected to uphold. Some of these responsibilities are legally required; all of them matter to the health of American democracy.

Your Rights as a U.S. Citizen

• Freedom to express yourself
• Freedom to worship as you wish
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury
• Right to vote in elections for public officials
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship
• Right to run for elected office
• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

Your Responsibilities as a U.S. Citizen

• Support and defend the Constitution
• Stay informed of the issues affecting your community
• Participate in the democratic process
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
• Participate in your local community
• Pay income and other taxes honestly and on time to federal, state, and local authorities
• Serve on a jury when called upon
• Defend the country if the need should arise

Wrapping Up: Your Starting Point

This subchapter covers the foundation of everything you will study on Citizenshipped. Understanding the test format — which version applies to you, how many questions you will be asked, and what score you need — puts you in control of your preparation from day one. And understanding why citizenship matters, and what it asks of you in return, gives that preparation real meaning.

You are not just memorising facts for a test. You are preparing to join a democratic tradition that millions of people before you have helped build.